Curated Konbini Meals in Tokyo

Dinner haul from Family Mart

Have you seen all the hype about konbini (convenience store) food hauls by travelers to Japan? It’s hard to miss these reels that are all over social media. It intrigued me so much that I decided to check it out on my way back to the US.

As soon as I arrived in Tokyo and after checking into my hotel in Haneda, I set out to buy the food items on my list. As if the universe knew my plans, there just happened to be a Family Mart in front of my hotel. My first shopping haul included mackerel, salmon, rice ball, rice ball with roe, edamame, matcha cookie, pancakes, french toast, rice crackers, 2 coca cola and 3 water bottles. The total came to 2,548 yen or $16.11.

The viral items that these travelers to Japan grab at the konbini stores are the onigiri, egg sandwich, strawberry custard creamy sandwich and smoothies. Notice I didn’t buy any of these as I’m allergic to some of the ingredients in these food items.

Day 1 - dinner

Rice, salmon and edamame. The salmon was surprisingly flavorful. All these items were microwaved at the store so I had a nice hot meal. I loved the edamame.

Day 2 - breakfast

My breakfast consisted of a pancake sandwich and one half french toast from Family Mart. Green tea was provided by the hotel. These pancakes are filled with maple syrup and margarine. I’ve had them previously from Family Mart in Taipei and I really liked them. The remaining pancake sandwich in the cellophane wrap is the next day’s breakfast together with the french toast. The french toast from Family Mart is thick and good but I liked the 7-11 french toast better.

Day 2 - Ume snack

This wasn’t my favorite rice cracker. I tried the shoyu flavored rice cracker and I liked it much better.

Snack- Matcha and white chocolate cookie

What I liked about this cookie is that it isn’t too sweet. And it’s big enough to save a piece for the next day.

Day 2 - late lunch

Nanachiki (boneless fried chicken cutlet) and rice from 7-11, mackerel from Family Mart. The chicken was okey but it was slightly oily.

Day 3 - breakfast

Tea and chocolates from Tsuruha Drugstore to take home

All these chocolates and nuts, tea, grape candy, coca cola and bottled water cost 3,054 yen or $19.07.

On my third day and what I thought was my departure day, I ate at an airport restaurant in Terminal 3 and had black cod on Saikyo miso. It didn’t come with any garnish nor rice. It was 1200 yen or $7.50. On my fourth and last day, I bought a chicken katsu bento box from Seijo Ishii (also fits the description of a konbini) at Terminal 1, first floor, and it was very good. It costs 754 yen or $4.71. I bought my drink from vending machines and were about 110 to 140 yen, .69 cents to .87 cents.

The idea of going to Japan for the purpose of curating meals from konbini stores proved to be a fun experience. I also enjoyed exploring the aisles for the wide selection of tasty, prepared food and snacks at budget-friendly prices. I must admit that I was overwhelmed by the selection of ramen, udon and other noodle soup offerings which is why I didn’t pick up any. I have rarely visited a 7-11 store in the US but I wouldn’t hesitate to go to a Family Mart, 7-11 or Lawson in Japan, Taiwan or the Philippines to buy food and drinks. Note also that there are ATM machines at Family Mart and 7-11. It’s quite convenient so you don’t need to rush exchanging money at the airport. Also, keep the loose change as you can use these at the ubiquitous vending machines.

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Images by TravelswithCharie

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